Biodegradation of Dinitroaniline Herbicides by <i>Bacillus licheniformis</i> DYB9

Extensive use of dinitroaniline herbicides results in their pollution to surface waters and aquatic sediments, posing a threat to aquatic organisms. Microbial degradation is an ideal method to remediate herbicide pollution, but still faces the challenges of product preservation and strain survival in contaminated site. Here, an endospore-forming bacterium Bacillus licheniformis DYB9 was isolated, which could efficiently degrade pendimethalin and butralin. The metabolic pathways of both herbicides in strain DYB9 were identified. Moreover, the endospores of this strain were prepared and the conditions for rapid activation of the endospores was established. Compared to the dormant endospores, the activated ones were able to eliminate about 90% pendimethalin residues from lake water in 36 h. Together, this work highlights a promising bacterium and method to remediate dinitroaniline herbicides-polluted water.